Lewes Unleashed proposes dog park site

Lewes Unleashed is working with city and state officials to determine where a dog park could be developed on land the City of Lewes leases from the state.

Lewes Unleashed and city officials are looking for about 2.2 acres within a 66-acre parcel to establish a dog park and provide parking.

The city holds a 20-year lease on the entire parcel, owned by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

Taylor Abercrombie, a Lewes Unleashed spokesman, gave Lewes Mayor and City Council an update on the project at the panel’s June 11 meeting.

Abercrombie said Rodney Robinson a Lewes-based landscape architect, has volunteered to develop early conceptual designs free of charge.

Committed organization

Abercrombie said Lewes Unleashed has about $12,000 in pledges for the dog park but is not collecting cash until bank accounts have been set up.

He said Lewes Unleashed has become a member of the Greater Lewes Foundation, which supports local nonprofit organizations.

The city, Abercrombie said, would incur no costs related to construction or ongoing maintenance of the facility; the organization would ensure the park is maintained and kept clean. “We’re thoroughly committed. Lewes is unique in that we do have Lewes Unleashed,” he said, noting the organization is also committed to privately funding a portion of the project.

He said the Town of Elsmere recently completed a dog park that was fully funded by the state, and

Lewes Unleashed is getting information from Elsmere organizers about project funding, defining the scope of work, and budgets. He said Lewes Unleashed members are also looking at how other dog parks are operated to help establish rules and regulations for the Lewes facility.

Any facility that receives state funding must be open to the public

No plan required

Abercrombie told city officials a portion of the site could be cleared, and a portion left wooded. “A dog park would be an excellent use of the property,” he said.

“Insects would be a major challenge,” interjected City Councilman Fred Beaufait.

Beaufait said the city hasn’t developed plans for use of the site, and he’s concerned about how parceling-out pieces could limit what might be done there.

Lewes Mayor Jim Ford said it wouldn’t be fair to Lewes Unleashed to tie a decision about the park to creating a master plan for the parcel.

Ford said he saw no reason to develop a plan because it would be a lengthy process, unnecessarily delaying the dog park’s progress.

“Delaware parks and rec is satisfied that our plan is, we will have a plan at some point,” Ford said.

City Councilman Victor Letenoff agreed with Ford.

“It’s not fair to hold Lewes Unleashed hostage to creation of a master plan,” he said.

City Councilman Ted Becker said a plot plan of the parcel would be useful, especially to see what route could be selected for the long-proposed connector from New Road to Pilottown Road.

Ford said DNREC, Delaware Department of Transportation and University of Delaware are talking about the connector road.

Possible problems

Stephanie Tsantes, a city resident and a dog owner, asked the panel if it makes sense to develop the park before knowing the connector road’s route.

She also questioned whether a dog park should be developed at all in light of a May 26 dogfight at the Historic Lewes Farmers Market.

The fight started when a dog from a nearby home escaped a fenced area, wandered to the market and attacked a dog held on a leash.

Rep. Pete Schwarzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, broke up the fight by grabbing the unleashed dog’s collar and, holding it arm’s length, walking a few feet away. No people were injured, and the dogs sustained minor bites.

Tsantes said dogs brought to the park that have not been properly socialized would pose a threat to dogs and people.

Abercrombie said operating dog parks isn’t problem-free. “There will be issues but, on balance, dog professionals feel there will be benefits,” he said.

Becker said he has been in touch with the city’s insurance carrier to find out if the dog park would increase the city’s rates. Becker said he hasn’t received an answer.

Officials with municipally owned and operated dog parks in Kent and New Castle counties said their dog parks did not cause increased insurance costs.

Lewes Unleashed will continue conceptual planning.

City officials said a public meeting about the dog park would be scheduled, but no date has been set.

Mayor and council asked Glenn Mandalas, city attorney, to look into legal issues related to having a dog park in the city.